Kemba Walker Reportedly Pulling an Aaron Rodgers Move With the Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are already in shakeup mode. Now their situation might turn into an Aaron Rodgers-like issue if it already hasn’t. Published reports have Kemba Walker playing the role of Rodgers, with sources saying a breakup is likely. The point guard reportedly soured on the front office after a failed trade attempt.
The Boston Celtics have already made some significant changes
To say the Celtics had a disappointing season would be an understatement. Fresh off a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston stumbled its way to a 36-36 season and a quick first-round exit from the postseason. With two All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics were the seventh seed before falling to the Brooklyn Nets in five games.
Quickly after the series ended, Danny Ainge, Boston’s president of basketball operations, stepped down after 18 years in the front office. Brad Stevens, the Celtics coach the last eight years, left his coaching position to replace Ainge. Celtics fans expected a shakeup, but it was supposed to happen on the court.
Ainge absorbed the blame for the Celtics’ woes, saying the roster he put together wasn’t good enough. Players showed frustration throughout the season, with Walker calling out the team for not playing hard. Brown, whose season was cut short with a wrist injury, issued a “no comment” after a disappointing loss when asked about the team’s ball movement.
Kemba Walker reportedly unhappy with the Boston Celtics
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report made waves with an article stating the Celtics and Walker want a breakup.
Like the Rodgers situation with the Green Bay Packers, the front office is the target of the player’s displeasure. While Rodgers appears unhappy with the team’s drafting of Jordan Love in 2020 and his lack of contract security, Walker is reportedly annoyed the Celtics tried to trade him.
Bleacher Report said sources close to the Celtics said Walker was the subject of a trade that would have brought Jrue Holiday to Boston. Instead, Holiday wound up with the Milwaukee Bucks. Walker “was hurt by Boston’s efforts to trade him, which created a rift in the Walker-Ainge relationship,” the article read. “He no longer feels wanted.”
The Bleacher Report sources say the Celtics are on board with moving Walker, but that might be a tough sell. He has a bum knee and has a $36 million salary for next season.
Oklahoma City is a logical landing point for Kemba Walker
Walker’s salary and durability are a problem. While his salary is off the charts, especially for the amount of time he spends on the court, there are plenty of other bad contracts out there. One logical scenario has the Celtics bringing back an old friend in Al Horford and his ugly contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The New Orleans Pelicans also have some bad contacts in Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams. The two make $35 million combined, while Walker is at $36 million.
There’s also the disgruntled Kristaps Porzingis in Dallas. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, and New York Knicks could use a point guard. Look for the Celtics’ shakeup to continue with Walker, despite the big money and bad knee. If both parties are ready to move on, another bad contract can be had in exchange for Walker’s.
